Investigating the Perceptions of University Students on Multilingualism in Careers

Abstract

This study investigates the students’ perceptions regarding multilingualism for careers and its significance in educational institutions and for students’ professional lives in multilingual settings. This research explores how the local students whose first language was not English perceives multilingual environments in their practical lives, and whether their academic institution favor multilingualism in education and skill, and in what ways their backgrounds from different cultural and languages impact these thinkings. For data collection a mixed method approach was used. A five-point Likert scale was employed for online survey and for qualitative data semi structured interview recordings were collected. The qualitative data was further analyzed thematically while the quantitative data was represented in form of charts, percentages and graphs. The major findings show that maximum number of participants holds positive response in favor of multilingualism as a benefit in educational settings and for professional lives to work in multilingual environments. The factors show multilingualism boost students confidence level and flexibility in learning and providing diverse cultural exposures. In spite of that, some students show negative responses. Overall, the study finds out multilingualism to be an advantage for students in their educational institutions and for their future careers rather than as an obstacle. Further, this research aims to suggest the importance of multilingualism in educational institutions for improving students’ careers.